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Staff recommends city opt in to House Bill 581 floating homestead exemption
Summary
City staff briefed council on House Bill 581 and recommended opting in to the state's floating homestead exemption, which freezes assessed values for qualifying long-term homeowners; staff warned it could slightly reduce local tax collections and explained the procedural hearing requirements.
City staff recommended that Chattahoochee Hills opt in to House Bill 581, a state floating homestead exemption, at the Feb. 4 work session.
"Staff is recommending that we do opt in," Robbie said, explaining the bill would freeze a homeowner's assessed value (for example, a house assessed at $500,000 would be assessed at that amount in subsequent years even if market value rises). Robbie told council that opting out requires three public hearings prior to March 1, and because neighboring cities have already acted, timing makes opting in the practical staff recommendation for the city.
Robbie provided supporting materials and a county digest spreadsheet to illustrate local impacts, saying the city has roughly 1,200 homesteaded properties out of a little more than 4,000 total (about 50%). He noted that opting in could make the countywide referendum for an additional 1% sales tax eligible in some circumstances, which would affect local voters and revenues. Staff committed to distributing the digest and the PT-32.1 millage form so council members could review the fiscal modeling before any final action.
The council discussed whether to inform the public before the hearing that staff favors opting in so residents can frame their public-comment remarks. Staff replied that legally advertised hearings will continue, and the council can explain its inclination during the formal hearing process.
